Unguentum Tabaci.—Ointment of Tobacco.
Related entry: Tabacum (U. S. P.)—Tobacco
Preparation.—Take of extract of tobacco, 1 drachm; alcohol, 1 fluid ounce; yellow wax, ½ ounce; lard, 4 ½ ounces. Dissolve the extract in the alcohol, then add the wax and lard, previously melted together, and continue the heat to evaporate the alcohol; strain while hot, and keep stirring until cold. The extract of tobacco must be prepared in the same manner as the extract of belladonna; or the ointment may be prepared by taking the fresh leaves of tobacco, 2 pounds; lard, ½ pound; spirit, ½ pint; and wax, 1 ounce; and proceeding in the same manner as explained for ointment of poke (Unguentum Phytolaccae).
Action and Medical Uses.—Tobacco ointment forms an anodyne application, useful in various affections of the skin, piles, scald-head, irritable swellings, painful ulcers, etc. Some caution is necessary not to use it too freely, lest it produce its constitutional narcotic effects. An ointment made from the dried leaves is of but little value; one made by rubbing 20 drops of the empyreumatic oil of tobacco with 1 ounce of simple ointment, forms an active preparation.
